Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1887-07-08
EUROPEAN WAR TALK.
Russia ana England on the Verge of a
Clash of Arms.


Nv shington Despatch to Philadelphia Times j
Fix Governor Curtin left Washington
to-day somewhat hurriedly on account of
Il despatch announcing the illness of a
member of his family. Before his depar-
lure he had n conversation with the presl.
dealt upon the warlike aspect of affairs in
Europe, in which he pointed ont the
course Of Russian conquest in ASIA and
unravelled the secret motives of the move.
unent on lIerat. The immediate occasion
of Governor Curtu's call was the receipt
OF Il letter from An eminent Russian dip
lpuat aud statesman giving a view of the
political situation and the progress made
in Russian destiny. During his diplomat
&c residence in Russia Governor Curtin
established close personal relations with
the highest members Of the foreign office,
witch have been maintained by cores
pUudence ever since. Governor Curtin
says 81 thought that 1t was right that
The president should know the actual stu
att N. Although our foreign policy us
one of non participation in the political
all mrs OF other nations, our commercial
interests are more or less affected by dis
turbanCe of the peaceful relations of other
countries. The Asiatlc operations of the
Russian forces are more flank movement
than serious design upon India. The
DplTe Oh RUSSIA, with us one hundred
millions of subjects, has homogeneous
population of al least 60,0O0OOO who have
but one thought, and that is the possession
OF ConstantinOple. The Russians are much
moved by traditions We have no tradi-
tons in this country and cannot appre.
cate the force of that inspiring force to
great sacrifices and noble deeds The re-
ligon of 4 Slaw is part of his devotion to
his car, the head of the church. Every
Russian recognizes ConstantinOple as the
cradle of his church and the possession of
It. Sophia is part of his creed. The Brit
ish fleet in the last war was the sole bar
rier TO the capture of Constantnople In
the field movements, the desperate con
ticts in the Balkans opened the way to
the Bosphorus. The Russians Will renew
their attempt at a very early day. The
movements in the heart of Asia will pre-
clpltate the conflict"
The governor, continuing. said "The
latest dispatches show what is going on
the serving of notice upon the sultan
that the signature of the Anglo Turkish
British convention would he a cause OF
grievance on the part of Russia and the
undoubted existence of n secret under
standing between Russia and France
shows how critical the relations are. Tur-
key understands this when she asks for
delay in signing the treaty until July g.
War Is closer than people think My pri-
vate advlces show that Russia aud Eng
land are on the verge of a clash of arms.
An Anglo Russian war would soon draw
all the other nations into the vortex.
While Russia is keeping vigilant eye
and IA threatening attitude upon affairs at
Constautinople, she is steadily advancing
toward Herat. The conquest of khiva,
Bokhara and the occupation of Merry es-
tablished Russian dominion over that por-
ton of Turkestau on both sides of the
OXus River down to the foot hills of the
HinGoo koosh range. believe that the
Russian troops are now in Herat, which is
south of the koOsh range and on the flank
of Cabul, the outpost of the British forces
The Russians build their railroads as they
move, which puts them in rapid commu-
nicatlon with their base of supplies and
re-entorcrmeuts. The table lands of At
ghanistau will very soon be the battle
ground Of the Slav and the Saxon for do.
minion in Southern Asia. The result will
determine whether Russian power will be
able to extend its giant arm to the Indian
ocean. But COnstautuope Is the real
ambition OF the ruler of the Russian peo-
pie ana mead Of the Russian hierarchy"